Google vs Russia, Facebook timetravel and Ballmer on the curb: #StuffToKnow this week

It’s been kind of a needly week online. Google’s decided to take on Russia in winter at the same time as science has been taking on God in Kentucky. Facebook meanwhile gave us all a blast from the past before the really enthusiastic CEO of Microsoft who never quite got mobile, in a world walking away from the desktop, finally got replaced. We also saw a legend of the cinema leave the earthly stage in his prime.

INTERNET

Take a look back into your Facebook history

A blast from the past came to us all on Facebook this week. The famous social networking platforms 10th birthday celebration arrived and they decided to gift us each a “Look Back” video showing the highlights of what you shared since you became a member. By the way if you are not fond of you custom video you can soon edit it.

‘Science Guy’ Bill Nye debates creationist on evolution

The battle between science and religion went viral this week as Bill Nye ‘the Science Guy’ debated with Genesis-believer Ken Ham. The debate on earth’s origins was watched by over a million people via YouTube and 900 people packed into the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky — which Ham founded.

Ham’s premise was that the world was created in a week as explained in the christian Bible, while Nye argued that the earth resulted from the big bang as according to science he went on to say teaching children otherwise would lead to America’s demise as a world power.

‘If we continue to eschew science … we are not going to move forward,’ Nye said. ‘We will not embrace natural laws. We will not make discoveries. We will not invent and innovate and stay ahead.’

Many have argued who won the debate as both sides of this centuries old debate hold on to their point of view but what I did like is that both gentlemen were cordial and respectful of each other throughout the debate.

Here is the debate, judge for yourself:

Google takes a swipe at Russia’s ‘anti-gay’ law with rainbow-coloured doodle

The home page to most users around the world now has a rainbow colored logo, and underneath the famous search box is a quote from the Olympic Charter:

“The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Google has celebrated the launch of the controversially rife Sochi Winter Olympics with a custom doodle which takes a swipe at Russia’s archaic laws on homosexuality.

The rainbow flag has come to be a symbol of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities around the world.

The Google logo is often “doodled” into a custom style, this time – in rainbow colours – shows stylised figures in some of the Winter Games’ most high-profile sports, see the image below.

Google’s ambitious art project DevArt, is to literally code art

Google hopes to inspire coders to get creative. DevArt is a new website and competition for coders and designers to program a piece of art which if selected will be showcased on the site giving the artist some great exposure.

TECH

Microsoft’s new CEO is Satya Nadella

Finally the guy jumping up and down screaming “Developers! Developers!” is officially replaced. Satya Nadella is taking Steve Ballmer’s CEO chair as the new head of Microsoft. The 46-year-old Nadella will take over immediately – which will please the stock holders who pumped up investments the very day Ballmer announced he was going to retire. He has also stated he hopes that Bill Gates will be his “wingman”, the founder of Microsoft has said he will devote more of his time to the Redmond company.

Apple yanks world’s most popular Bitcoin wallet from app store

Apple pulled the Blockchain app from the popular mobile app marketplace without any official reason, says Nicolas Cary, the CEO of Blockchain. The app is used by roughly 120,000 people to send and receive the world’s most popular digital currency. There are more than one-million Blockchain users worldwide.

ENTERTAINMENT

Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead in New York

Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment, according to the New York Police Department. The 46-year-old Oscar-winning actor, is survived by three children. An outpouring of grief rippled across the web. Many colleagues and well-known actors also utilised social media to show their grief.

A very nice tribute video was made of the phenomenal actor’s work.

NICE FIND

Alpha Male morning routine… 

Let me know if I missed anything this week in the comments.